Before Hull City’s match against Norwich City,
Oli McBurnie expressed his desire to “headbutt a wall” following a discussion with teammates Lewie Coyle and John Egan.
Prior to Hull’s regular-season finale against Norwich City, captain Coyle and seasoned professional Egan formed the squad.
With a 2-1 victory over the Canaries, the Tigers jumped ahead of Wrexham to secure a place in the Championship playoffs. McBurnie looked especially determined, running down defenders with remarkable zeal and scoring both of Hull’s goals.
The 29-year-old preferred to keep the meeting’s contents confidential, but was willing to explain its influence on him.
Oli McBurnie is motivated by meeting
“The skip (Coyle) and Eges (Egan) called a meeting yesterday (Friday, May 1) with just the boys off their own back,” he said to The Yorkshire Post. “The leadership demonstrated there, and the words spoken are something that truly resonated with you.
“You guys don’t see it, but the leadership they shown in our meeting…I wanted to headbutt a wall as I walked out of that meeting.
“I was outraged that I had to wait 24 hours to play the game following that meeting. You’re surrounded by folks you’d like to be in the trenches with.
Hull City’s experienced heads
McBurnie, who scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, is one of the veteran players Hull will need to rely on in the playoffs.
Sergej Jakirović’s team will compete against Millwall in two legs to advance to Wembley Stadium to face Middlesbrough or Southampton.
“I think it’s (experience) been massive all season,” McBurnie said. “I believe that is one of the main reasons for our success.
“We haven’t always been the best squad to watch or played the best games. But with that know-how and character, even today, coming off the run that we’ve had, with the other two teams (Wrexham and Derby County) on the runs that they’re on, we’re probably the least likely team to go and get it done.
“You look around that dressing room and it’s full of that (experience), and I think that’s massive.”
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